My pick for SGF

Immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly and two-time Senator, Olorunimbe Mamora, are reportedly being considered as replacement for suspended Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal.

Let me start by saying that there should be no talk of Babachir Lawal coming back to the job even if he is cleared. He has proven to be a misfit for the position of SGF. What is more, his arrogance does not help matters.

That said, let me now say that I have always advocated that Babatunde Fashola should be appointed to a position in Aso Rock either as Secretary to Government of the Federation or Chief of Staff to the President. It is my opinion that Aso Rock needs the organisational acumen of a Fashola.

However, if he (Fashola) cannot get it for any reason, then I suggest that Senator Olorunimbe Mamora be appointed to replace Babachir Lawal as Secretary to Government. There are several reasons Mamora is the better choice than Oshiomhole.

First, as a former Senator, and Senate Minority leader at that, he is more likely than Oshiomhole to successfully navigate the mucky waters of National Assembly politics, thus giving President Buhari a breather from the incessant attacks from that quarters.

Secondly, Mamora would be more easily acceptable to the national law makers than an Oshiomhole who by nature is a partisan and polarizing character. The position of SGF requires a less-partisan person – in my view. Not that Oshiomhole is not competent, but at a time a rapprochement with National Assembly is seriously needed, Oshiomhole is the wrong man to put forward.

Thirdly, Mamora is an epitome of civility, decency and modesty. He is more likely to fit into Baba’s worth ethics. Besides, his appointment as SGF would be a master-stroke in terms of mending cracks in the relationship with the Ashiwaju camp as well as rewarding him for his role as the deputy head of Buhari’s presidential campaign organisation.

Mamora is of course known to be close to Ashiwaju. And, of all those who worked assiduously in the Buhari campaign team of 2015, he seems to be the most marginalized. To cap it all, his nomination for ambassadorial position was recently rejected by the Senate on the ground that he was a non-career diplomat.

But all these do not make Oshiomhole a political liability to Baba. Oshiomhole is a fighter. And he is street-wise and a smooth political organiser. Adept at sub-surface politics, he is a man who can match the devious antics of Senate President Bukola Saraki and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Oshiomhole is a foot soldier. For this, I would like to see him as APC chairman. Failing which he should be appointed Minister of Works – an area he recorded commendable achievement as Edo State governor. No one can deny the fact that Fashola’s portfolio should now be split.